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Mission

To develop highly qualified operations, logistics, support and medical professionals who provide airlift to serve the state and nation.

History

The 179th Airlift Wing is located at Mansfield-Lahm Airport in Mansfield, Ohio. The Wing is home to the 164th Airlift Squadron which operates the Lockheed C-130H Hercules tactical airlifter.

The 164th Fighter Squadron was formed and federally recognized at Mansfield Municipal Airport on 20 June 1948 after community leaders and veterans formed an advisory committee chaired by Colonel Alan P. Tappan. with the objective of locating an Air National Guard Unit in Mansfield, Ohio.

With the Air National Guard providing nearly 50% of the USAF’s tactical airlift capability, the 179th AW supported combat and humanitarian operations and exercises around the world, including:

Due to BRAC 2005, the Wing will lose all of its aircraft by late summer 2010. The aircraft are scheduled to be dispersed to Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, and Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. However, due to the base's superior record, and the urgent actions by state and local officials, reconsiderations were made, and the base was incorporated into the Ohio Air National Guard's future by receiving a bridge mission of flying the C-21 until they begin receiving their new long-term C-27J aircraft.

On July 20, 2008, the 179th continued its growth by the standing up of the 200th Red Horse (Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers) detachment. The Mansfield base has been assigned with 200 Red Horse personnel and another 200 will be assigned to Port Clinton. A new building across the airfield is to be constructed to house the attachment with an approximated completion in 2010.